imho, the best is to have both reflective and active illumination. Lights are key when you're coming into cross traffic or other situations where reflectors won't help.

On the other hand, retroreflective gear will vastly outshine most tiny bike lights when hit full-on by automobile headlights. There just is no substitute.

And please. Please. Do not forget to take into account how you're positioned on the bike. All too often I'll pass someone w/ good intentions, clipping a blinkie onto their messenger bag, only to have the light flashing towards the sky as they crouch over the handlebars.

I'll pass someone w/ good intentions, clipping a blinkie onto their messenger bag, only to have the light flashing towards the sky as they crouch over the handlebars.

Amen, that or they're carrying on load on their rack and it's obscuring their seatpost blinky. I have two back lights and one front (trinewt) light on my bike, but I've also taken to placing reflective tape along the front fork, downtube, and the rear fender to have some passive illumination.

Amen, that or they're carrying on load on their rack and it's obscuring their seatpost blinky. I have two back lights and one front (trinewt) light on my bike, but I've also taken to placing reflective tape along the front fork, downtube, and the rear fender to have some passive illumination.

I just picked up a roll of 3-M reflective tape at Ace Hardware for $3.50. There was enought to run a strip down my rear fender, rear forks and front forks. Set it out on the curb against a tree and then pointed my car lights at it from a block away and was amazed at how it lit up.

I just picked up a roll of 3-M reflective tape at Ace Hardware for $3.50. There was enought to run a strip down my rear fender, rear forks and front forks. Set it out on the curb against a tree and then pointed my car lights at it from a block away and was amazed at how it lit up.

A picture's worth a thousand words... Please, Let us see your handiwork!

I'm a bit of a Luddite. No cell phone. I do have a digital camera but I haven't a clue how to get resolution in the dark and then download here. Look for me on SE 92nd and wave!

No harm in trying

I wouldn't worry about blurry images/resolution in the dark, just try to take a pic. Then you can and either attach it, or PM me for my email, and I'll upload and attach it.

Best results for night shots... find something to set the camera on (like a tripod or a fence). Shine a light at the bike. Hold breath, take picture, release breath... (continue breathing). I found that breathing while taking a night shot lately has a wonder effect of creating that cloud that you see when it's cold out (and ruins the shot).

My friends accuse me of looking like a Cop Car at night.
I actually had a buddy who was walking to a party we all went to this weekend who saw me go by and said, "I thought it was a cop on a Motorbike until I realised the motorbike wasn't making any noise"...
Here's an entertaining little vid made by Amy Walker over at MOMENTUM concerning this subject:http://www.momentumplanet.com/news/lets-get-visible